Optical and electrical sensing of a multiphase fluid

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for optical and electrical sensing different phases of a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member formed with an optically transparent material including a first end with a shaped tip and a second end operable to receive an optical conductor. The apparatus also includes first and second electrodes disposed on the cylindrical member operable to receive first and second electrical conductors, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A downhole tool, comprising:
 a probe conveyable within a wellbore via a conveyance, wherein the wellbore extends from a wellsite surface to a subterranean formation, wherein the conveyance comprises an optical conductor and at least first and second electrical conductors, wherein the probe includes an integrated sensor comprising: 
 a cylindrical member including a side wall with the first and second electrical conductors disposed therein, a first end with a shaped tip and a second end operable to receive an optical conductor, wherein the side wall and the first end are formed with an optically transparent material; and first and second electrodes disposed on the side wall of the cylindrical member operable to receive the first and second electrical conductors, respectively. 
 
     
     
       2. The downhole tool downhole tool of  claim 1  wherein the shaped tip is substantially conical. 
     
     
       3. The downhole tool of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the optical conductor; and 
 a light source and a photodetector each in optical communication with the cylindrical member via the optical conductor. 
 
     
     
       4. The downhole tool of  claim 3  further comprising an analog-to-digital converter and a processor operable to distinguish between compositional components of a multiphase fluid surrounding the probe based on signals received from the electrical source, the electrical receiver, the light source, and the photodetector. 
     
     
       5. The downhole tool of  claim 4  wherein the compositional components comprise water and oil. 
     
     
       6. The downhole tool of  claim 4  wherein the compositional components comprise liquid and gas. 
     
     
       7. The downhole tool of  claim 3  further comprising a processor operable to distinguish between gaseous and liquid components of a multiphase fluid surrounding the probe in the wellbore based on signals received from the light source and the photodetector. 
     
     
       8. The downhole tool of  claim 3  wherein the light source and the photodetector are each disposed at the wellsite surface. 
     
     
       9. The downhole tool of  claim 1  further comprising:
 the first and second electrical conductors; and 
 an electrical source and an electrical receiver each in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes via the first and second electrical conductors, respectively. 
 
     
     
       10. The downhole tool of  claim 9  further comprising a processor operable to distinguish between oil and water components of a multiphase fluid surrounding the probe in the wellbore based on signals received from the electrical source and the electrical receiver. 
     
     
       11. The downhole tool of  claim 9  wherein the electrical source and the electrical receiver are each disposed at the wellsite surface. 
     
     
       12. The downhole tool of  claim 9  further comprising:
 the optical conductor; and 
 a light source and a photodetector each in optical communication with the cylindrical member via the optical conductor. 
 
     
     
       13. The downhole tool of  claim 12  further comprising a processor operable to distinguish between compositional components of a multiphase fluid surrounding the probe in the wellbore based on signals received from the electrical source, the electrical receiver, the light source, and the photodetector. 
     
     
       14. The downhole tool of  claim 13  wherein the processor is operable to:
 distinguish between water and oil in the multiphase fluid; and 
 distinguish between gaseous and liquid phases of the multiphase fluid.